Republican Town Councilman Mark Grimm announced Friday, May 1, he will seek the position of Guilderland town supervisor in the upcoming November election.
Open government is our best hope for positive change, said Grimm in a written statement. `When government becomes more transparent, citizens become more engaged and their collective wisdom and innovation blaze the path for better lives for us all.`
Grimm is founder of Mark Grimm Communications, a public speaking training and media relations firm. He is a journalism professor at Siena College, a volunteer producer and host of the Siena Alumni Connection radio program, and author of `Everyone Can Be A Dynamic Speaker.`
He said his platforms include `clear and understandable` budgets, the use of technology in the permit process, a revision of hours to `better serve working people’s schedules,` involving the town board on budget changes and making video recordings of town meetings available for online viewing.
He has been a critic of Town Supervisor Ken Runion’s administration on a number of issues, including the budget process, hiring practices and property assessment.
`The town leadership scandals underscore the need for more transparent government,` Grimm said in a written statement. `With just one election, we have a great opportunity to make history by changing a culture that has existed for far too long.`
Dave Bosworth, Democratic committee chairman, said a full-committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 4, after The Spotlight goes to press.
`I’m sure Mr. Grimm’s announcement will galvanize many members of our community,` Bosworth said. `It should be a very lively campaign.`
Runion, who has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election, was invited to the meeting to discuss the matter.
`I’m still weighing my options,` Runion said, adding that he planned to attend the Monday meeting. `I’m not ready to make a decision one way or the other.`
Albany County Democratic Party Chair Daniel McCoy said the county is behind Runion `100 percent.`
Grimm said, if elected, he would work to implement a `fairness culture` that would `prohibit no-bid contracts to family members of town elected officials, apply consistency to supervisor’s zoning decisions, fix problems with questionable assessments, and simplify the assessment appeal process.
`Guilderland has one of the strongest municipal work forces in the area,` said Grimm. `Imagine what we could accomplish with a new supervisor who leads with inspiration and a strong work ethic.`
Grimm has the backing of the Guilderland Republican Party, said Ted Danz, the party’s chairman.
Danz said the committee has unanimously voted to support Grimm, along with Dave Fraterrigo for town board and Chris Aldrich for town justice.
The candidates for town positions will be announcing their candidacies individually, rather than as a slate, Danz said.
`I’m actually letting them speak for themselves,` Danz added.
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